A Message from the Dean

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

Professor George Williams AO

As we move into 2020 the law continues to be an exciting place to be in. The accelerating technological change which I alluded to last year continues to move forward in leaps and bounds. Legal technology spend continues to increase, turning disruption into opportunity. Consequently, you will graduate into a private sector where firms will be increasingly more innovative and business models have changed. Private sector practice has long been the starting place for many a legal career. And while partnership is the goal some of you may aspire to, other opportunities will beckon along the way; the Bar, government and community sector, in-house commercial roles to name a few. You must be prepared for, and ready to nimbly embrace change, both within your role and into the future as your personal occupational goals change.

Some of this change is driven by corporations becoming more sophisticated in their legal service procurement. Another result of this change is that more corporations are retaining in-house counsel and the role of the in-house lawyer has developed to include company secretarial, compliance and risk. In response, UNSW Law Careers is partnering with the ACC (The Association of Corporate Counsel) Australia to create new opportunities for in-house clerkships as inhouse counsel are seeing the value of clerkships which have generally been the purview of traditional law firms.

In-house teams are increasingly subcontracting to specialised boutiques, alternative legal services businesses and barristers. Boutique practices offering expertise in niche practice areas – for example, employment, construction, tax, intellectual property – now also offer a quality employment option in the private sector.

MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

The past decade has seen the entry of a host of international firms offering quality, cross-border work and opportunities for employment in overseas offices. Simultaneously, we have also seen the expansion of key, midsize firms which have gone on to establish a national presence, impressive client bases and reputations for quality and professionalism. Similarly, the entry of law firms attached to the professional services firms – such as PwC Legal, Deloitte Legal, KPMG Law and EY Law – attract an excellent mix of referral work and offer mentoring by partners drawn from the major firms.

The Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry’s focus on greater consumer protections, increased penalties for law breakers and expanded enforcement powers for regulators has led to a rise in the need for regulatory advice in the financial sector. This has resulted in an increased demand for regulatory lawyers across areas of compliance, governance and data privacy. The report also emphasised the key principles of good governance and responsibilities of the Board being provided with the right flow of information to discharge their duties.

NewLaw, the start-ups of the legal world, come in a variety of models. They are an exciting, ongoing development in the private practice space, often offering greater flexibility, autonomy and work-life balance. They are often niche businesses blending technology with process-driven solutions and pricing strategies.

NewLaw firms range from secondment models, legal process outsourcers, on-line lawyer registries or quoting services, tech-driven businesses through to full-service law firms that prioritise flexible arrangements and innovative pricing. Over the next few years we will see the ‘un-bundling’ of some legal services.

The emphasis at UNSW Law on experiential and international learning in the LLB and JD programs is heavily influenced by advice from employers. Academic achievement is not the sole determinant for employment. The law graduate who stands out can think critically and solve problems, communicates effectively and works collaboratively. Private practice employers will seek out the candidate who brings both breadth of experience and character. So, take advantage of what’s on offer in the Law School and, more generally, at university and in the community. UNSW Law is committed to helping students chart their unique career course. We have a dedicated Law Careers Service to help our students best position themselves to secure a rewarding job at the end of their studies.